What is VoIP?
At first glance, VoIP is almost indistinguishable from the telephone services you are used to using—in fact, you’ve likely used it before.
Basically, instead of using the network of telephone wires that stretches from your service provider to your location, VoIP uses your broadband connection to transmit your call data to and from the recipient. In doing so, you eliminate the need for a pricy telephone service, instead getting double duty from your Internet.
Like we said, you’ve likely used VoIP technology in some form. Skype, Facetime, and Facebook Messenger all operate as VoIP solutions, albeit more for the personal user than an organization. For the organization, many VoIP platforms are available that provide a hefty list of features and options, leading to greater advantages.
The Advantages of Using VoIP in a Business Setting
The benefits of using VoIP are straightforward for the business:
Cost
This is perhaps the most visible (and, for that matter, impactful) benefits that Voice over Internet Protocol offers. A POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) requires a sizable investment for the infrastructure alone, never mind the additional features that aren’t included by default. Comparatively, VoIP needs very little up-front investment, and these additional features are almost always included.
Simplicity
VoIP is a perfect example of a plug-in-and-play solution, with very little else involved in its setup besides signing into your solution and literally plugging in the device. Similarly, starting up and operating the additional features incorporated into VoIP is a very user-friendly experience as well. This ease of use helps to motivate your team to use the platform’s conferencing capabilities and mobile-friendly softphone, and for your part, adding users is a simple enough task.
Function
Finally, these additional features further support your business’ capacity to communicate effectively. Here’s a general idea of what VoIP solutions will offer:
- Call forwarding
- Personalized extensions
- Call routing
- Call recording
- Automated receptionist
- Call queues
- Instant messaging
- Text messaging
- Find me, follow me
- Audio and video conferencing
- Integrated voicemail
- Line-of-business integration
Depending on the VoIP solution implemented, many more features will likely be available in addition to these.
In short, VoIP makes your business communications better, benefitting both your internal collaboration and your outreach efforts. Find out more about what VoIP can do, and what’s involved in implementing it, by calling our professionals at Coleman Technologies at (604) 513-9428.
